Onward

About

Onward is a single player and multiplayer tactical shooter game with a warfare theme. It was developed by Downpour Interactive and was released on March 25, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Onward is a tactical first-person VR shooter game that offers a wide variety of competitive and cooperative game modes, emphasizing communication, coordination, and realistic infantry combat. The newly added Mercenary Mode provides a roguelike PVE experience, where players can choose missions and rewards in a new Hideout location. Face intense battles in this immersive and challenging game, with platform cross-play ensuring a diverse pool of opponents.

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68%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,127 reviews

gameplay263 positive mentions

story194 negative mentions

story
1,111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
74%
17%
The story aspect of the game "Onward" is largely non-existent, with players noting that it lacks a traditional narrative or campaign. Instead, the gameplay focuses on tactical missions and multiplayer experiences, which some players find engaging despite the absence of a structured storyline. However, many reviews express disappointment over the game's significant downgrade in graphics and overall quality following the integration of Oculus Quest support, which has overshadowed any potential narrative depth.
- “This game is incredible again after some updates since the quest launch.”
- “I wish this game had a campaign as the gameplay is spot on and an interesting story to go along with it would make it a 10/10 for me.”
- “The game has been completely destroyed in an attempt to make cross platform play with quest and pc fair.”
- “The game was downgraded to favor the quest vr headset.”
- “They downgraded the graphics in the game for their quest release.”
- “This game was one of the revolutionary games, but ever since the quest update they decided to make it potato and make it terrible.”
graphics
1,094 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
53%
28%
The graphics of the game have faced significant criticism, primarily due to a major downgrade implemented to accommodate the Oculus Quest, resulting in visuals that many players describe as reminiscent of older, less sophisticated titles. While some users note that the graphics can still look decent on higher settings, the overall consensus is that the game no longer meets the visual standards set by earlier versions, leading to disappointment among the PCVR community. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the gameplay, suggesting that while the graphics may not be impressive, the experience can still be engaging.
- “The graphics are noticeably better on PCVR, and the new firefight mode is worth the price of the game alone.”
- “When I got the game (July 2020), I was blown away by the level of detail in the graphics and the sound effects.”
- “The graphics are well done, and the game is refined; the community is mostly supportive, and the devs are cool!”
- “The graphics have gone back 10 years.”
- “The graphics are just simply bad - ugly textures, lower poly models.”
- “The graphics were downgraded to the point that the Call of Duty mobile game looks better than this.”
gameplay
715 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
53%
10%
The gameplay of this VR shooter is characterized by its tactical co-op mechanics and realistic gun handling, which many players find engaging and immersive. However, recent updates have led to significant downgrades in graphics and gameplay quality, resulting in a mixed reception; while some appreciate the core mechanics and community, others criticize the game's performance issues and the influx of less serious players. Overall, the game offers a solid tactical experience, but its enjoyment heavily depends on the player base and the current state of updates.
- “If you buy this game, you're buying it because of the gameplay, not the graphics.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic, and really gives you a huge sense of immersion when you play.”
- “The gameplay and the social aspect make this game something you really have to experience.”
- “Optimization is awful, and during gameplay it is basically unplayable.”
- “The lag during gameplay is constant and very sickening when the world begins snapping around you.”
- “The game was heavily downgraded, visually and mechanically, to the point of looking like a PS1 game.”
optimization
201 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
59%
27%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, crashes, and graphical downgrades following updates aimed at improving compatibility with Oculus Quest. While some recent patches have shown improvements, the overall sentiment is that the game is poorly optimized, particularly for PC VR, leading to a frustrating experience for players with even high-end hardware. Many reviewers express disappointment over the sacrifices made in graphics and gameplay features to accommodate lower-end devices, resulting in a game that feels unplayable at times.
- “Now finally with 1.10 the PC graphics are optimized and strike a balance between smooth VR performance and eye candy.”
- “The new optimization update has made the game so much more enjoyable; it's like night and day... I would now highly recommend this game.”
- “The performance gains are substantial, and make the game run much better on my computer.”
- “Optimization is awful, and during gameplay it is basically unplayable.”
- “Constant crashes and freezing, clearly isn't optimized for PC VR.”
- “The main con of this game is that since they 'optimized' this game for the Quest 2, they decided it would also be a good idea to downgrade the PC version as well.”
stability
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, the overall consensus is that it is currently too buggy and unstable, making it difficult to play consistently. Users express frustration over the lack of timely updates to address these problems, leading to a generally negative perception of the game's stability.
- “Game runs great.”
- “Gradually the game is getting closer to how it used to look (good), and stuff runs great (awesome, it used to run so bad).”
- “I used to have a lot of bad things to say about this game, and while it's still not perfect, I can now very confidently recommend this game for those who are looking for a realistic military shooter that is fun, polished, and mostly bug-free.”
- “Game is almost unplayable now, constantly buggy, matchmaking is awful and can never get a good lobby with people in it, have to restart multiple times to get it to work, graphics suck and did I say that it's constantly buggy?”
- “This game is great, and quite fun, the only reason this review is negative is because of a bug that makes the game unplayable. I play this game via wireless streaming to my headset through virtual desktop, and occasionally it freezes. After a freeze, I am permanently disconnected from voice chat and have to close and re-open the game, as this is a tactical shooter where communication is absolutely vital.”
- “The game is clunky and buggy, it's slow-paced (as it should be for a milsim game), not saying there are not plenty of action-packed moments, but being a gunner is useless. The recoil for the 249 is understandably quite drastic and there is no option for a bipod to mitigate the recoil.”
humor
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely derived from the chaotic interactions between players, often resulting in hilarious moments such as accidental team kills, comical animations, and unexpected mishaps during gameplay. While many players appreciate the funny dynamics and the lighthearted community, there are also frustrations with immature behavior from younger players that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game fosters a fun atmosphere filled with laughter, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy a comedic multiplayer environment.
- “Hilarious community, great game with regular updates to content and life improvements.”
- “It's an ok game, the death animations and physics are hilarious, the reload animations are nothing like Pavlov.”
- “The community is funny and I was also able to settle some 'custom games' with all the people like hostage mode, or some western 12 o'clock shooting!”
replayability
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
53%
6%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, particularly in multiplayer modes, which offer varied experiences and engaging gameplay. While some users noted that certain co-op missions lack depth, the community-driven updates and immersive mechanics contribute to a strong replay value. Despite minor criticisms regarding content and specific game modes, many consider it one of the most replayable VR titles available.
- “Great FPS VR game with great replayability.”
- “The replay value is fantastic, the dev team listens to the community, and the community is great to play with.”
- “It has a lot of replayability and will keep you sweating through some of the most intense gaming moments in your gaming life.”
- “They made two changes that I liked, but about 100 changes that literally ruined the replayability of the game.”
- “I liked the co-op operations a little bit, but they're not really replayable.”
- “It doesn't have a ton of replayability because of that :/ please devs, add just one game mode with respawning.”
monetization
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
6%
89%
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that recent updates have degraded the gameplay experience in favor of appealing to a broader audience, particularly on the Quest platform. Many users express frustration over misleading advertising that showcases an outdated version of the game, and there are concerns about the potential introduction of microtransactions and paid DLC, which could further alienate long-time supporters. Overall, the sentiment reflects a deep dissatisfaction with the developers' prioritization of profit over player experience.
- “Since the game is a one-time purchase without any microtransactions, and the fact that it's a VR title means they have to search for a way to expand to other platforms.”
- “Now all they need are some microtransactions and paid DLC, and they'll have a steady income stream that frees them from the burden of software development.”
- “This game felt like a cash grab because they took 25 dollars from all of us, made the game progressively worse, then ran with our money.”
- “The advertisement material on the store page is misleading, workshop support has been removed, and the game has basically reduced either to a rushed update or the devs have given into Facebook money to make it run on their platform, abandoning the current player base.”
- “This is a quick cash grab and the devs can't be trusted after lowering graphics and functionality for the entire game just to make it playable by another headset.”
grinding
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
50%
39%
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it requires an excessive investment of time, likening it to needing "a second life" to manage. While some mention that grinding can be manageable or decent, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a frustrating aspect that detracts from the experience, particularly in single-player modes where large maps can prolong the grind.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Decent grinding.”
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's a bit tedious.”
- “My only negative about this game is that all of the maps that I have played have been very large, while this lends itself nicely to online play, it makes a single player run tedious at times while you try to find the last few baddies.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
26%
13%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and tense experience, enhanced by high-fidelity sound design and detailed graphics that evoke a realistic combat environment. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a palpable sense of tension and realism, particularly in cooperative gameplay, where communication and environmental details contribute significantly to the overall experience. Despite some criticisms regarding graphical downgrades, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it one of the best VR shooting games available.
- “Not just because it might have been the only one on the market, but the high-fidelity audio of supersonic rounds screaming in your ear and the overall tense, almost terrifying atmosphere made it an addictive experience.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is amazing, and the developers put a lot of care into details that don't seem important but end up being very relevant to gameplay.”
- “The stress builds with actual reloading, inventory on your vest, radio communication, and the general battlefield atmosphere, making this by far the best VR shooting game to date.”
- “And to top it off, it has some of the most in-depth hi-fi sound design I have experienced in a VR game, and sound is very important for atmosphere.”
- “Really good, terrain isn't super flat or blocky; the atmosphere is delivered very well and easily portrays the environment.”
- “The controls are quick and intuitive, and the atmosphere is unmatched by any other VR game that I have played.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a wide range of emotional responses to the game, from feelings of intense immersion and camaraderie to frustration and disappointment with updates. Many highlight the game's ability to create a sense of urgency and connection, while others lament the emotional toll of gameplay changes and technical issues. Overall, the emotional experience is deeply intertwined with personal connections and the game's evolving nature, leading to both heartfelt moments and significant frustrations.
- “I'm sure the old game was cooler because they had to optimize it for the Quest 2; however, the game still made me feel like I was in a life or death situation, looking around each and every corner.”
- “And, that, truly is heartbreaking.”
- “If Onward fades out because of this, it'll be heartbreaking, since this is the place I found a home with a league team, something I've wanted to find for many, many years.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as a "masterpiece" and highlighting excellent sound design, while others criticize the loud main menu music and limited ambient tracks. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its quality, but the overwhelming volume in certain situations detracts from the experience for some players.
- “Masterpiece music 10/10.”
- “Load up the Sicario 2 soundtrack.”
- “Couple this with some excellent sound design (and a really good subdued soundtrack on top of that), very detailed models and varied, detailed maps, it all comes together as a seamless experience.”
- “As of the time of this writing, there was a massive issue that blew up a few days ago with a hacker running around with admin privileges, forcing his way into lobbies and instant killing everyone, then blaring music at max volume into everyone's ears.”
- “- Ambience: 2/10. I've personally never heard literally anything besides the 2 points given to the song the soldiers sing in the lobby.”
- “The few things I dislike about the game are the small number of maps and the incredibly long loading time with the deafening music in between.”